Chapter 850 Convince

Chapter 850: Convince Chapter 850: Convince Editor: Atlas Studios If she were merely an ordinary person, she might not be able to change anything.

However, she now had a powerful husband.

If she didn’t do anything, Mu Yangling would feel guilty towards her descendants.

Hence, that night, she held Qi Haoran’s hand and told him how vast the world outside the sea was.

Also, that they should fight for their interests and not adopt a tolerant attitude towards the pirates.

Qi Haoran said, “The sea is all water.

What’s the use of it no matter how vast it is?

Don’t tell me the benefits you’re talking about are sea trade?

Ah Ling, Zijin values this because he likes to do business.

Don’t you like to farm?

Why are you so interested in doing business, too?

Compared to the fields and forests, sea trade is just a small component.

It’s only beneficial to a portion of the population and doesn’t have much impact on the country and the people overall.

Other than sea salt, I can’t think of any other impact caused by the sea trade ban.

However, the fields and forests are the lifeblood of the people.

As long as we handle this part well, we won’t have to worry about the country not being strong.

However, you’re right.

We shouldn’t tolerate those pirates time and time again.” Qi Haoran sighed.

“It’s a pity that I don’t know how to fight naval battles.

Otherwise, I would definitely beat those pirates until their parents don’t recognize them.” Mu Yangling immediately thought about it and retorted, “The fields and forests are indeed the most important to the commoners, but not all the commoners own fields.” Seeing that Qi Haoran was about to retort, Mu Yangling immediately raised her hand to stop him and said, “Don’t tell me that the Imperial Court splits the freehold fields and farmlands.

In the coastal areas, where there are more people than there is farmland, and most of them are salt-alkali lands, it’s no harder for those fishermen to own farmland than it is to ascend to the heavens.

Thus, they can only rely on fishing for a living.

The Imperial Court’s ban on the sea not only affects the sea salt, but also millions of commoners along the coast.” Seeing that Qi Haoran was deep in thought, Mu Yangling continued, “Besides, it’s a taboo for soldiers to retreat and show weakness.

Now that we’re retreating and banning sea trade, it’s undoubtedly telling the pirates that we’re afraid of them.

I fear that will just make them even more fearless.

In the past, they only harassed the people offshore.

Now, they even dare to go ashore and plunder.

Should we retreat another five miles, they’ll dare to cross the defense line and attack inland in the future.” “How is that possible?” Qi Haoran looked down on Mu Yangling.

“How many soldiers can they transport with those few ships of theirs?

At most, they can transport 40,000 to 50,000 troops.

Could it be that our hundreds of thousands of troops on land are just decorations?” That’s right, but the Qing Dynasty was breached this way.

Just a few thousand people managed to break through the defense line of the Qing Dynasty.

Didn’t the Qing Dynasty also have hundreds of thousands of garrison troops?

Mu Yangling asked Qi Haoran sadly, “Back then, if someone told Emperor Shizong and his ministers that one day, the coastal waters of Great Zhou would be ravaged by pirates, and even the fishermen along the coast would be slaughtered and plundered by pirates, do you think Emperor Shizong and his ministers would believe them?” Qi Haoran remained silent.

With a sigh, Mu Yangling continued, “The country’s strength is weakening day by day.

If you take a step back, others will take two steps forward.

Nothing is impossible in this world.

The current maritime ban has indeed only reduced sea trade, increasing the price of salt and making it harder for the coastal people to make a living.

However, in the long term, what we’ve lost is our confidence and determination to fight the pirates.

We’ll give in step by step and eventually give up to others the land that rightfully belongs to us.

Haoran, we can’t give up territory and seas that belong to us.

Therefore, you should work hard to master naval battles and prepare to protect the country.” Qi Haoran opened his mouth wide, surprised that Ah Ling would ask him to learn naval battles.

He immediately said, “I don’t even know how to swim.

If I fight in a naval battle, I’ll die if I fall off the ship.” “What’s so difficult about that?

Isn’t it just swimming?

You can just get someone to teach you.

Considering your young age, it’d be easy for you to learn.

You don’t even have to go elsewhere to learn it.

Don’t we have a big lake at home?

You can swim whenever you want.” Upon hearing that they could play with water, the three children, who had been sleeping obediently, jumped up and asked to learn how to swim.

They also had to prepare to “protect their country.” Mu Yangling agreed with a smile and even volunteered, “Mother will bring you into the water tomorrow.” Let Ah Ling swim in the lake?

Qi Haoran patted the bed to suppress them.

“You’re too young to go.” He glared at Mu Yangling.

“You neither know how to swim nor have to fight naval battles.

Why are you going into the water?

Stay at home obediently.” Mu Yangling was stunned.

“Who said I don’t know how to swim?” This time, it was Qi Haoran’s turn to glare.

“There are very few rivers and lakes in the north.

How did you learn how to swim?” Only then did Mu Yangling remember that she had indeed never learned how to swim in this world.

She coughed lightly and said vaguely, “Wasn’t there a small river behind my house?” “That was years ago.

Are you sure you can still swim now?” Mu Yangling rolled her eyes and said, “Won’t you know once you see me swimming in the lake tomorrow?” “No need.” Qi Haoran glanced at his sons and bit her ear.

“You can just swim in the bathroom for me to see.” Blushing, Mu Yangling kicked at Qi Haoran.

In the end, she didn’t manage to kick him off the bed, so she settled for simply glaring at him.

“If you don’t let me into the water, bring Little Bear and the other two into the water tomorrow.

There are so many people in the residence.

There will definitely be some who know how to swim.

Just choose a spot with shallow water and sand and stones below, and practice there.” The three sons looked at Qi Haoran eagerly, but the usually-doting Qi Haoran was exceptionally determined this time.

No matter what, he refused to bring the merely two-year-old twins into the water.

How could he dare to bring them into the lake at such a young age?

Even for Little Bear, Qi Haoran only reluctantly agreed to bring him along under the persuasion of him and Mu Yangling.

Little Bear came to learn how to swim with the goal of protecting his country.

After just half a morning, he had already learned how to swim.

Meanwhile, Qi Haoran was still splashing water around with the support of a guard who knew how to swim.

It was totally embarrassing.

Looking at the three children who were staring at him eagerly, Qi Haoran gritted his teeth and insisted on not letting them enter the water.

No matter how sensible the three children were, they were still children.

In response to Qi Haoran’s repeated rejections, they let out sky-shattering cries, attracting Mu Yangling over.

When Qi Haoran saw Mu Yangling, his face turned red, and he hurriedly put on his coat and glared at her.

Mu Yangling was baffled and didn’t understand why Qi Haoran was glaring at her.

However, she didn’t have time to think about it because the three children were running towards her.

After hearing the children’s pleas, Mu Yangling tried to communicate with Qi Haoran again.

“The water level isn’t too deep where you’re practicing.

It only reaches your waist, right?

The sand and stones below won’t sink.

Just find three coaches to teach the children one-on-one.

If you’re still afraid that something will happen to them, you can just assign them two coaches each…” “No.” Qi Haoran’s face was solemn.

“The water level is too deep for the children.

Unless you can find a spot where water only reaches their necks in this lake, I definitely won’t let them enter the water.” Mu Yangling puffed up her cheeks and glared at him angrily.

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